12 yrs oldhttp://apl.org/taxonomy/term/963/all
enA Mutiny in Time http://apl.org/staffpicks/mutiny-time
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2012)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Dashner%2C%20James%2C%201972-&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=2&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Dashner, James</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1884925~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, March 11, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/mutinyintime.gif?itok=zahHzYNO" width="125" height="187" alt="cover of a mutiny in time" title="A Mutiny in Time" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">The first book of the <a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S2/?searchtype=h&amp;searcharg=Infinity+ring+&amp;searchscope=2&amp;sortdropdown=-&amp;SORT=DZ&amp;extended=0&amp;SUBMIT=Search&amp;searchlimits=&amp;searchorigarg=XInfinity+ring+%26SORT%3DD">Infinity Ring</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">This book is the first of a seven book series written by various authors about time travel.&nbsp; Every book in the series will portray some type of historical location and some major break in history’s time line.&nbsp; History as we know it has been altered by an organization called SQ. It is up to our newly appointed Historians Dak, Sera and Riq to set the past right and restore the rifts made in time.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The main characters, fifth graders, Dak Smyth and Sera Froste, and a young historian, Riq, live in an alternate America, consisting of 48 states, with the capital in Philadelphia, and ruled by the mysterious evil power known as SQ.&nbsp; These three heroes are sent back in time to fix one of the great breaks in history.&nbsp; The Hystorians was a secret society set up by Aristotle after the assassination of Alexander.&nbsp; This secret organization was to assist travelers from the future in fixing history’s Great Breaks and to fight against the SQ who want to stop the “good guys” from accomplishing their mission.&nbsp; Dak’s parents were working secretly on a time travel device, known as the Infinity Ring, in order to help correct the disasters that were destroying the world.&nbsp; When testing the device, Dak’s parents disappear.&nbsp; Thus Dak, Sera, and Riq are sent to Spain to prevent a mutiny against Christopher Columbus aboard the Santa Maria and to make sure the right person gets credit for discovering America.&nbsp; At the same time they must try to find Dak’s parents who are lost in time.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The characters are likeable and knowledgeable.&nbsp; Additional characters that give some depth to the story include Christopher Columbus; the Amancio brothers – Salvador and Raul; Gloria; Eyeball; and Brint and Mari – leaders of the Hystorians.&nbsp; The story has just the right mix of history, science, intrigue, and thrill to keep the reader interested. The story is action-packed and fast-paced. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Besides being a great introduction to different periods in history,<a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1884925~S2"> <em>A Mutiny in Time</em></a> is a good introduction to the topic of time travel.&nbsp; It will provide children with the opportunity to ask good questions about the nature of time: Can you really change history?&nbsp; Is it possible to change time so much that you cease to exist?&nbsp; What happens to the changes you made if you are never born?&nbsp; If you had lived all your life remembering history a certain way, only to learn that it had been tampered with, how would you know what was supposed to happen and what needed to be fixed?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">This series is similar to the 39 Clues series and will appeal to the same audience.&nbsp; Cliff-hangers at the end of the book lead into the next book.&nbsp; The second book of the series, <a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1894278~S2"><em>Divide and Conquer</em></a>, takes our heroes on a quest to stop a Viking invasion.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Fantasy lovers will enjoy this book and will want to read the other books in the series.&nbsp; I would recommend this series for children in grades 4 through 6<sup>th</sup>.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-series field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Link to this series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S2/?searchtype=h&amp;searcharg=Infinity%20ring%20&amp;searchscope=2&amp;sortdropdown=-&amp;SORT=DZ&amp;extended=0&amp;SUBMIT=Search&amp;searchlimits=&amp;searchorigarg=XInfinity%20ring%20%26SORT%3DD" rel="nofollow">Infinity Ring </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/series">Series</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/mystery">Mystery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 05:11:36 +0000skempf2152 at http://apl.orgAvihttp://apl.org/staffpicks/avi
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2004)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=X&amp;searcharg=Sommers%2C%20Michael%20A.%2C%201966-%20&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=77&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Sommers, Michael A., 1966- </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1511894~S77">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, June 19, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/Avi.gif?itok=jzkmif8z" width="140" height="187" alt="Avi" title="Avi" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">An inspirational and engaging biography of award-winning author, Avi. &nbsp;The story of how he became fondly known as only “Avi”, which is not his real name, is revealed. It describes his poor childhood in New York during the war years and how he learned to survive. He fights a lifelong battle with dysgraphia. (“Dysgraphic people have trouble writing. They mix up or invert letters and misspell words.” p. 9).&nbsp; Growing up in a family of professional storytellers, singers, musicians and writers, and being read to as a child, helped Avi to learn to love stories and history and to teach himself to read before he started school. Because of his dysgraphia, he was a poor student and his teachers did not understand. They believed he was just not trying hard enough. He painstakingly manages his dysgraphia and continues to write and to inspire young people, especially those with learning disabilities, when he speaks in schools and libraries. In spite of many early warnings that he would never succeed at writing, Avi proved critics wrong and through hard work and perseverance, won the Newbery Medal for <em>Crispin: The Cross of Lead </em>and numerous other awards.&nbsp; Avi’s love of history and writing fueled his choice of a double major in history and playwriting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Avi pursued a Library Science degree from Columbia University and worked for many years as a librarian in New York and New Jersey. History plays a big role in many of his novels such as <em>Captain Grey, Night Journeys, </em>and <em>Encounter at Easton</em> which are set in the time of the American Revolution. He won a Newbery Honor for his historical fiction work <em>The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. </em>His works appeal to young people because of the common theme of children confronting obstacles in adult worlds, much like Avi’s struggles. He writes adventures, historical fiction, fantasies, mysteries, animal stories, ghost stories and more. </span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-shirley">Ms. Shirley</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8th-grade">8th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/non-fiction">Non-Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/biography">Biography</a></div></div></div>Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:15:19 +0000Shirley1877 at http://apl.orgBehind the Bookcasehttp://apl.org/staffpicks/behind-bookcase
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2012)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Steensland%2C%20Mark.&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=2&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Steensland, Mark</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1902788~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, June 3, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/behindbookcase.gif?itok=lT-NidAY" width="123" height="187" alt="Behind the Bookcase cover" title="Behind the Bookcase" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">A very engaging and scary fantasy mystery that takes the heroine on a whirlwind trip into another world called Scotopia.&nbsp; If you liked <em>Coraline </em>or <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> you will certainly enjoy this fantasy.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The story starts with the family, Sarah, 12; her brother, Billy; and her parents travelling to her late Grandma Winnie’s house to clean and fix it up in order to sell it.&nbsp; Here Sarah discovers a house full of locked rooms, many dark and dangerous secrets, and an unfinished letter her grandmother wrote: <em>Strange things are happening behind the bookcase</em>. . . .&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Behind the bookcase is a doorway into Scotopia, the land where shadows come from.&nbsp; Sarah meets a talking cat named Balthazat; Jeb, a boy with half a face; a walking hand called Lefty; sentinels whose eyes and mouths are stitched shut and carry heads for lanterns: and a giant bat with a boy’s head named BB by Sarah.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Balthazat convinces Sarah to take him back to her world, and she does under the impression that he is saving her from some evil king of Scotopia. &nbsp;Jeb claims that Baltazat is lying about everything. &nbsp;With Jeb’s help Sarah works to undo the mess she has caused by letting this evil cat into her world.&nbsp; She also finds a locked door in the basement that her grandmother claimed lead to Penumbra, where the souls of the dead are sleeping.&nbsp; This door is a portal for the sleeping, which is the reason Baltazat wanted into Sarah’s world.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Will Sarah be able to stop the cat from getting into Penumbra to capture the sleeping souls?&nbsp; Will she be able to return Billy’s missing half back to his face?&nbsp; Will Sarah’s world soon be overtaken by darkness?&nbsp; Will Sara get enough courage to save all of her friends in Scotopia, as well as the people in her world?</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">This is a must read book for children in grades 4 through 7 who enjoy fantasy and alternate worlds full of adventure and fantasy characters.&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I would recommend this book for ages 9 through 12.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/mystery">Mystery</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/suspense">Suspense</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 13 May 2013 18:13:38 +0000skempf2427 at http://apl.orgBlue Firehttp://apl.org/staffpicks/blue-fire
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Book II of The Healing Wars Series</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Hardy%2C%20Janice.&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=2&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Hardy, Janice</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1802017~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, July 15, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/bluefirecover_0.gif?itok=amB6Mo8i" width="125" height="187" alt="Blue Fire book cover" title="Blue Fire" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>This story follows where <a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1771989~S2"><em>The Shifter</em> </a>ended.&nbsp; In <a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1802017~S2"><em>Blue Fire</em></a>, our heroine, 15-year-old Nya, begins with the same goal that she had in <em>The Shifter</em> – to keep the people she loves safe.&nbsp; Unfortunately, because of her unique ability to shift pain from one person to another, this is tougher than it sounds.&nbsp; Tali, Nya’s sister, and the other takers are hiding in Geveg from the evil invading Duke of Baser.&nbsp; He is hunting for Nya and the takers to use their skills in his pain experiments.&nbsp; Now Nya must go undercover in order to help protect the ones she loves and also the people of her hometown, Geveg.&nbsp; As in the first book, Nya must make difficult decisions that may hurt or even kill others.&nbsp; She must face her own war raging inside her when forced to use her healing powers to injure and kill.</p>
<p>While selling goods at the markets, she tries to help a street urchin and gets captured by kidnappers sent by the Duke.&nbsp; After escaping, Nya sets out to free her imprisoned friends and sister.&nbsp; With the help of an underground group of fighters Nya is involved in a series of dangerous activities.</p>
<p>New characters include the street gang, Ceun and Quenji; the underground fighters and its’ leader, Onderaan; and Vyand, the tracker sent to capture Nya.&nbsp; There are some interesting discoveries that Nya encounters in her relationships with the underground fighters.&nbsp; Her old friends stand by her and their characters become even stronger than in the first book.</p>
<p>This is a very action-packed fantasy that will leave you thinking about such issues as what is right or wrong, whether to hurt someone or run from responsibility.&nbsp; Nya’s character is very similar to the heroine of the Hunger Games, Katniss.&nbsp; The two series are very similar in that the heroine becomes a symbol for freedom.&nbsp; The story ends with more of a cliffhanger than the first, with more loose ends to tie up, but it leads right into book three, <em><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1852490~S2">Darkfall</a>.</em>&nbsp; This story is very satisfying on its own and can be read without reading the first book.</p>
<p>I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fantasy full of adventure, intrigue, and mind challenges.&nbsp; It is a book about morals and values being challenged and teens facing difficult decisions and becoming stronger in character.</p>
<p>I would recommend this book for grades 5 through 9.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-series field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Link to this series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://library.booksite.com/6334/kdlseries/?series=49181" rel="nofollow">Healing wars series </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8th-grade">8th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9th-grade">9th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/middle-school">Middle School</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/action-adventure">Action &amp; Adventure</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 15 Jul 2013 06:00:00 +0000skempf2655 at http://apl.orgCheesie Mack is Cool in a Duelhttp://apl.org/staffpicks/cheesie-mack-cool-duel
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2012)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77/?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=cotler%2C%20stephen%20l&amp;searchscope=77&amp;sortdropdown=-&amp;SORT=D&amp;extended=0&amp;searchlimits=&amp;searchorigarg=amccauley%2C%20adam" rel="nofollow">Steve Cotler</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77/?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=mccauley%2C%20adam&amp;searchscope=77&amp;sortdropdown=-&amp;SORT=D&amp;extended=0&amp;SUBMIT=Search&amp;searchlimits=&amp;searchorigarg=acotler%2C%20steve" rel="nofollow">Adam McCauley</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="https://www.infosoup.org/record=b1893802~S77">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, May 27, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/Cheesie%20Mack%20is%20Cool%20in%20a%20Duel.gif?itok=SWRPRZOp" width="124" height="187" alt="Cheesie Mack is Cool in a Duel" title="Cheesie Mack is Cool in a Duel" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: medium;">Just in time for summer, Cheesie Mack and his best friend Georgie are back. If you haven’t read <em>Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything</em>, you should, but it doesn’t have to stop you from reading this book because Cheesie fills you in on all the important details right at the beginning. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Cheesie’s real name is Ronald and he is eleven years old. He lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts with one older sister. Her name is June, but Cheesie prefers to call her Goon. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: medium;">In this book, Cheesie and Georgie are heading off to summer camp. This will be their best summer EVER because this year they will be the oldest of the Little Guy campers. That means that they get to build the campfires and choose the teams. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #000000; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, due to circumstances discussed in <em>Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything,</em> Georgie registered late for camp. When they arrive they find that they have been put in with the Big Guys. Now, instead of being the biggest of the Little Guys, they are the littlest of the Big Guys. As if that isn’t bad enough, Goon’s boyfriend Kevin is in the cabin with them and he is determined to make Cheesie’s life as miserable as possible. Finally, fed up with Kevin’s tricks, Cheesie challenges him to a cool duel. Each day, Cheesie and Kevin try to outdo each other in coolness. Each night, the boys in their cabin vote on who is the coolest. After a week, the loser will have to bow to the winner in front of the <strong>whole</strong> camp. Doesn't that sound embarrasing? How can Cheesie possibly convince a whole cabin of Big Guy’s that he is&nbsp;cooler than Kevin?</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Filled with adventure, mischief and even a scary story, this book is the perfect way to begin summer break.&nbsp; Keep an eye out for a new Cheesie adventure,&nbsp;Cheesie Mack is Running Like Crazy, coming out soon as well.&nbsp; </span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/miss-ann">Miss Ann</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/3rd-grade">3rd grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/humor">Humor</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 27 May 2013 06:00:00 +0000acooksey2434 at http://apl.orgChristmas Chaoshttp://apl.org/staffpicks/christmas-chaos
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2013)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?%2FaKalz%2C%20Jill.%2Fakalz%20jill%2F-3%2C1%2C0%2CB%2Fexact&amp;FF=akalz%20jill&amp;1%2C81%2C%2Flimit%3F" rel="nofollow">Kalz, Jill</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?%2FaYamasaki%2C%20James%2C%2Fayamasaki%20james%2F-3%2C-1%2C0%2CB%2Fexact&amp;FF=ayamasaki%20james&amp;1%2C2%2C" rel="nofollow">Yamasaki, James</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1901731~S77">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Saturday, December 7, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/christmaschaos.jpg?itok=VHx_li4c" width="200" height="201" alt="Christmas Chaos" title="Christmas Chaos" /></div><div class="field-item odd"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/zoohideout.jpg?itok=hcGXLlS9" width="200" height="200" alt="Zoo Hideout" title="Zoo Hideout" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Are you looking for a fun gift idea?&nbsp; Something new for “Where’s Waldo” fans?&nbsp; Or just a way to keep the kiddos busy while they wait for Christmas?&nbsp; Then bring a little “<em>Christmas Chaos</em>” into your life!&nbsp; It’s one of several books in the “Seek It Out” series by Picture Window Books, a division of Capstone Press.&nbsp; The book features 14 scenes, laid out in two-page spreads, which feature a different winter holiday experience: the center of a busy shopping mall, Santa’s workshop, ski slope, skating rink, a gingerbread village, a Kwanzaa celebration, among others.&nbsp; Many objects from penguins and peppermint sticks, snowflakes and stockings, to fishing poles and backpacks are cleverly hidden among the other objects, animals and people in the scene, sometimes in the least expected places.&nbsp; The unexpectedness, along with expressive character faces and actions, will provide giggles and engage imaginations while readers seek and find the objects.&nbsp; The puzzles become more challenging from first to last, with between 6 and 12 objects to find on each page.&nbsp; The objects pictured on the list are in the same relative size, and in grayscale, so part of the challenge is to find each object by shape and tone rather than size and hue.&nbsp; The final puzzle invites readers to search through the whole book for the answers.</p>
<p>Another book in the series, <em><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1901730~S77" title="Zoo Hideout">Zoo Hideout</a></em>, includes many scenes from a busy zoo complex, including a reptile room, a petting zoo, a butterfly garden, a veterinary hospital, a whale and dolphin show, even a gift shop.&nbsp; I found it even more engaging than the holiday offering; the illustrations by Simon Smith and Moreno Chiacchiera are more goofily charming, and the unexpected locations of some of the objects are funnier.&nbsp; But <em>Christmas Chaos</em> hits the spot in this season of the year. There are more books in the series to choose from, and they're all fun—take a look!</p>
<p><em>Christmas Chaos</em> and <em>Zoo Hideout</em> are recommended for ages 5 and up.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/miss-kathleen">Miss Kathleen</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5-yrs-old">5 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6-yrs-old">6 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7-yrs-old">7 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8-yrs-old">8 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/humor">Humor</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/picture-book">Picture Book</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/picture-book-art">Picture Book Art</a></div></div></div>Sat, 07 Dec 2013 18:36:01 +0000KathleenW3341 at http://apl.orgCity of Orphanshttp://apl.org/staffpicks/city-orphans
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2011)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=X&amp;searcharg=%20Avi%2C%201937-%20%20&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=77&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow"> Avi, 1937- </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1824072~S77">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 8, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/City%20of%20Orphans.gif?itok=TZjiXwe7" width="123" height="187" alt="City of Orphans" title="City of Orphans" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; color: #000000; font-size: medium;">Newbery award winner Avi (2003 for Crispin: The Cross of Lead) creates a captivating adventure set in his hometown of New York City in 1893. Life is a hardscrabble existence for Maks and his immigrant family: poverty, illness, threats of gangs, shortage of food, filthy living conditions, and dependence on an unfamiliar society. Thirteen-year-old Maks sells newspapers to earn a few pennies a day which sets him up as a target of the Plug Ugly Gang. He meets homeless Willa who saves him from an attack with a big stick she carries. Together they attempt to clear Maks’ sister, Emma, who is in jail in “The Tombs,” accused of stealing in the new luxury Waldorf Hotel. Terminally ill Lawyer Donck reluctantly agrees to help them. This fast-paced, thrilling detective story that peaks in a shoot-out in the Waldorf, is told in simple “tough guy” language. Readers will empathize with Maks and Willa and admire their strong-willed, resourceful spirits. </span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-shirley">Ms. Shirley</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8th-grade">8th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/historical-fiction">Historical Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/mystery">Mystery</a></div></div></div>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:11:45 +0000Shirley1887 at http://apl.orgCrow Callhttp://apl.org/staffpicks/crow-call
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2009)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/X?SEARCH=a%3A%28Lowry%2C%20Lois.%29&amp;searchscope=77&amp;SORT=D&amp;b=oac" rel="nofollow">Lowry, Lois</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/X?SEARCH=a%3A%28Ibatoulline%2C%20Bagram%2C%29&amp;searchscope=77&amp;SORT=D&amp;b=oac" rel="nofollow">Bagram Ibatoulline, illustrator</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=X&amp;searcharg=crow%20call%20lowry&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=77&amp;Submit=Search">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, November 28, 2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/crowcall.gif?itok=ueRj7JZk" width="125" height="187" alt="Crow Call" title="Crow Call" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Young Liz is excited to be on her first hunting adventure with her dad who has just returned home from war; but she is also uneasy: her father has been gone so long that he and she are practically strangers. There are other things to get used to also: her new, too-large plaid flannel shirt from the dry goods store, the unfamiliarity of the breakfast fare on the menu at the diner, and the chilling changes that November brings to the woods Liz walks with her father, who, with gun in hand, is intent on killing the crows who have been eating the farm crops. Liz has been put in charge of luring the crows with a crow call whistle. It makes her sad to think that the crows will have to die, and she confides this and other feelings to her father as they make their way through to a hillside clearing. When the time comes for calling the crows, Liz is so delighted interacting with the birds that have gathered that her father holds his fire to share in her delight.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Based on a true happening from the author’s childhood, this story is set in 1945, but will be relevant to modern-day children whose parents return from service or other long-term absences and must form bonds again. The beautiful illustrations by <a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Ibatoulline%2C+Bagram%2C&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=77&amp;Submit=Search">Bagram Ibatoulline</a> are rich in detail and atmosphere, with muted tones that reflect both the seasonal setting and the nostalgic tone of the narration.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>In picture book format, this story would make a read-aloud at home or in a classroom, as well as a good selection for primary independent readers and up. Older adults may enjoy it, too, and it could serve to spark memories and stories of their own, to share in a family or other group setting.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/miss-kathleen">Miss Kathleen</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/kindergarten">Kindergarten</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/1st-grade">1st grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/2nd-grade">2nd grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/3rd-grade">3rd grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5-yrs-old">5 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6-yrs-old">6 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7-yrs-old">7 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8-yrs-old">8 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/picture-book">Picture Book</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/advanced-readers">Advanced Readers</a></div></div></div>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:00:52 +0000KathleenW1815 at http://apl.orgCurse of the Ancientshttp://apl.org/staffpicks/curse-ancients
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Infinity Ring series</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Pe%C3%B1a%2C%20Matt%20de%20la.%20&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=2&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Peña, Matt de la</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1937008~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, October 7, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/curseofancientsbookcover.gif?itok=i6yuCNXY" width="118" height="187" alt="Book cover for the Curse of the Ancients" title="The Curse of the Ancients" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">Book four of the <a href="http://library.booksite.com/6334/kdlseries/?series=51188">Infinity Ring&nbsp;</a></span><a href="http://library.booksite.com/6334/kdlseries/?series=51188">&nbsp;</a></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In the beginning of the book we find Dak, Riq, and Sera have just travelled to the age of the Maya people, in the middle of a storm.&nbsp; Like the other books in this series our three heroines are traveling back in time trying to correct the past to save the future world from Cataclysm.&nbsp; This story looks at the creation and destruction of the Mayan culture, and their greatest legacy the Mayan Codex. As the three time travelers learn about the people around them, they realize that the SQ has distorted the history of the Ancient Mayan civilization. Something feels wrong, as if they are in the wrong year.&nbsp; Can they save the Mayans and themselves before it is too late?&nbsp;&nbsp; Will they be able to find the break and fix it in time?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">After Dak is hurt saving a little girl, it is up to Riq, Sera and their new friend Kira to continue with the mission.&nbsp; Sera has a secret and she can not reveal what she found out when she went ahead in time and saw the future.&nbsp; She saw the Cataclysm and she knows that she cannot do anything to prevent it while she is stranded with Dak and Riq in the past.&nbsp; Now there is some urgency added to the series.&nbsp; They must accomplish their time travels and fix the breaks in order to prevent the Cataclysm.&nbsp; The constant theme running through the entire series is the thought “Fix the Past, Save the Future”.</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">This is a good science fiction story with lots of action and mystery.&nbsp; The series focuses on historical times and places and helps children understand the past.&nbsp; These books are a step up from the Magic tree house books and similar to the Haddax’s Misssing series.</span>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I would recommend this book for grades 3-6 and ages 8 – 12.</span>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-series field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Link to this series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://library.booksite.com/6334/kdlseries/?series=51188" rel="nofollow">Infinity Ring series </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/3rd-grade">3rd grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8-yrs-old">8 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/series">Series</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/action-adventure">Action &amp; Adventure</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 07 Oct 2013 05:01:00 +0000skempf3182 at http://apl.orgDarkfallhttp://apl.org/staffpicks/darkfall
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2011)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Hardy%2C%20Janice&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=2&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Hardy, Janice</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1852490~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, August 5, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/darkfall.gif?itok=UvCdj8C-" width="124" height="187" alt="book cover for Darkfall" title="Darkfall" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">Book III of <a href="http://library.booksite.com/6334/kdlseries/?series=49181">The Healing Wars Trilogy</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Darkfall is the final book in the Healing Wars Trilogy. When the story opens we find that Tali has been missing for several months, Nya, Danello, Aylin, and the underground resistance are hiding out from the Duke at Jeatar’s farm.&nbsp; All Nya wants is to find her sister and return home.&nbsp; But she is sucked into the war which the Duke is waging in order to reclaim the throne as his own.&nbsp; Thus Nya and her friends leave to warn Gevg that the Duke is coming with his army of Undying soldiers, trained to inflict pain.&nbsp; Along the way, they manage to find Tali, brain-washed by the Duke, as well as Vyand, the bounty hunter.&nbsp; But with the Duke fast approaching, will Nya and her friends be able to help? &nbsp;Can Nya live up to the expectations of the people as a hero and leader as well as helping her sister, and find a way to protect Geve?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Full of fast-paced action, intense drama and many twists and turns in the plot, and epic battle scenes this story finds Nya as the unintentional hero behind the war against the Duke.&nbsp; With her friends by her side she once more steps into the heart of danger and does her best to fight back.&nbsp; The story is about war and what happens in a war.&nbsp; Not everyone is going to survive, some may be hurt, some may even die, and sometimes you have to do terrible things to survive and defeat the enemy.&nbsp; Nya is constantly making choices about how she should and should not use her unique powers.&nbsp; She learns all of these lessons and finally becomes the confident and mature person that is the guiding force for the people to follow.</span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The plot and the main charaters are very similar to the <a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1770117~S2">Mockingjay</a>, the third book of the Hunger Games trilogy, except it is not as violent.&nbsp; Nya, like Katniss, has become the symbol of hope for her people and must become a leader.&nbsp; Despite everything there is hope at the end of the book.&nbsp; Things end on a positive note.&nbsp; Nya earns her place in the world as the hero of the rebellion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">This is definitely a series I would recommend.&nbsp; I would recommend this series to grades 5<sup>th</sup> through 9<sup>th</sup> grade.</span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-series field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Link to this series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://library.booksite.com/6334/kdlseries/?series=49181" rel="nofollow">The Healing Wars Series</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8th-grade">8th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9th-grade">9th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/middle-school">Middle School</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/series">Series</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/action-adventure">Action &amp; Adventure</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 05 Aug 2013 06:00:00 +0000skempf2988 at http://apl.orgDead Cityhttp://apl.org/staffpicks/dead-city
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2012</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S2/?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Ponti%2C%20James.&amp;searchscope=77&amp;sortdropdown=-&amp;SORT=D&amp;extended=0&amp;SUBMIT=Search&amp;searchlimits=&amp;searchorigarg=aPonti%2C%20James." rel="nofollow">Ponti, James</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1912685~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, February 10, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/deadcity.gif?itok=aMSvUmrn" width="124" height="187" alt="cover for Dead City" title="Dead City" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Zombies in Manhattan! Who would guess? There are different levels of the “undead” (they do not like the word Zombie) living in the world amongst the living.&nbsp; But the “undead” aren’t just normal zombies in this book.&nbsp;&nbsp; They can speak, think, and have emotion depending on the level of the Zombie.&nbsp; &nbsp;A new twist is making the undead emotional, feeling creatures - some of which are just trying to live peacefully among humans. But some zombies are trouble makers and that’s where the Omega Society comes into play.&nbsp; It is now Molly and her team's job to gather clues, solve puzzles, and track down the evil undead.</p>
<p>Molly Bigelow, a seventh grader, learns about the existence of the “undead” from her classmates.&nbsp; She is recruited into an organization called the Omega, a secret group that both protects and fights the “Undead” Of New York.&nbsp; All of the members follow the rules of CLAP: keep Calm, Listen, Avoid physical confrontation and Punish.&nbsp;</p>
<p>New York City has been under siege by zombies ever since 13 workers were killed while digging subway tunnels in 1896.&nbsp; The zombies acquire their strength from a special rock found under Manhattan. Thus the Omegas need to keep track of these undead and protect the city.</p>
<p>During Molly’s training, she learns that her mother was an Omega.&nbsp; She realizes that her mother had her take martial arts classes and memorize the periodic table in order to follow in her footsteps.&nbsp; The Omegas use the Periodic Table of Elements to construct codes.&nbsp; After extensive training Molly is ready to conquer any challenge thrown her way.&nbsp; When the evil Marek shows up and puts the city in danger, Molly is ready to defend herself.</p>
<p>This is definitely a fast-paced, fun adventure story for middle school age students in 5<sup>th</sup> through 7<sup>th</sup> grade who love books about zombies.&nbsp; The story moves along at a good pace and has plenty of plot twists to keep things interesting.&nbsp; The ending leads towards a sequel.</p>
<p>I would recommend this book for students in 5<sup>th</sup> through 7<sup>th</sup> grade.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fantasy">Fantasy</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/suspense">Suspense</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 10 Feb 2014 06:01:00 +0000skempf3418 at http://apl.orgDivide and Conquerhttp://apl.org/staffpicks/divide-and-conquer
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2012)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Ryan%2C%20Carrie.&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=2&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Ryan, Carrie</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1894278~S2">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, August 26, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/divideandconquer.gif?itok=oBeAy1ep" width="129" height="187" alt="book cover for Divide and Conquer" title="Divide and Conquer" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">Infinity Ring<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">; Book 2</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In this second book of time travelers, we find our Hystorians, Dak. Sera, and Riq traveling to 885 A.D. to fix the break in history.&nbsp; They land in Paris during the 9<sup>th</sup> century where thousands of Viking warriors are trying to capture the city. Their old enemies the SQ are also there and they are helping the Vikings.&nbsp; The time travelers need to find the Hystorian and fix the break before it’s too late.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Dak is captured by the Vikings and is forced to work with them to capture the city.&nbsp; Sera and Riq must help protect and defend the city.&nbsp; Now Sera and Riq must try to free Dak and help keep the Vikings from succeeding.&nbsp; While accomplishing this they find out that the true enemy might not be who they thought.&nbsp; They must find the break, solve the codes, ciphers and clues in order to correct it.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Another underlying theme in the story is the search to find Dak’s parents who were lost during the first time travel.&nbsp; Dak sees his parents at a gathering of townspeople and they are able to give him a key before they disappear.&nbsp; Will this have something to do with their next time travel?&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">In addition to our main characters new characters are introduced: Bill the Hystorian; Rollo a Viking friend of Dak; Vigi Rollo’s large dog; Siegfried the leader of the Vikings; and Gorm the SQ time warden.&nbsp; Our three heroes develop more and learn more about each other and stronger bonds are formed.&nbsp; There is a hint of a little romance, but changes because of the passing of time. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The Infinity Ring series is just what kids need to get them excited about history or what could have been history.&nbsp; <em>Divide and Conquer</em> is a perfect blend of historical settings and fast-paced action.&nbsp; This is a great read for fans of Percy Jackson or <em>A Series of Unfortunate Events</em>. It is definitely a book that makes the slogan “Fix the Past. Save the Future” true!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I would recommend this book for middle-school aged students and up.&nbsp; For grades 4 through 6.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-series field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Link to this series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?%2FhInfinity%20ring%20%3B%2Fhinfinity%20ring%2F1%2C3%2C16%2CB%2Fexact&amp;FF=hinfinity%20ring&amp;1%2C12%2C%2Findexsort=-" rel="nofollow">Infinity Ring Series</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/series">Series</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/action-adventure">Action &amp; Adventure</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/sci-fi">Sci-Fi</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Tue, 27 Aug 2013 06:00:00 +0000skempf3127 at http://apl.orgDoll Boneshttp://apl.org/staffpicks/doll-bones
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">2013</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?%2FX%28doll%20bones%29&amp;searchscope=77&amp;SORT=DZ&amp;m=a&amp;b=oac&amp;SUBKEY=%28doll%20bones%29/1%2C1%2C1%2CB/bibimage&amp;FF=X%28doll%20bones%29&amp;1%2C1%2C" rel="nofollow">Black, Holly</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search~S77?%2FX%28doll%20bones%29&amp;searchscope=77&amp;SORT=DZ&amp;m=a&amp;b=oac&amp;SUBKEY=%28doll%20bones%29/1%2C1%2C1%2CB/bibimage&amp;FF=X%28doll%20bones%29&amp;1%2C1%2C">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, October 14, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/dollbones.gif?itok=hJPm_8eM" width="127" height="187" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;">Twelve-years-old Zach tells his lifelong friends Poppy and Alice that he is giving up playing fantasy games with their dolls and action figures, telling them that “you can’t play pretend forever”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Poppy and Alice don’t know that Zach’s father has thrown his action figures out and told him that “it’s time you grew up”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>However, Poppy tells Zach and Alice that their game can’t be over because she has been haunted by the ghost of a girl who claims that the Great Queen, a bone-china doll locked in her mother’s cabinet, contains the ghost girl’s ashes and the ghost won’t rest until her ashes have been properly buried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This creepy ghost tale takes them on an adventure that is ultimately about the power of friendship and the price of growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This one will keep you glued to your seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Recommended for grades 5-8.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/tanya">Tanya</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/8th-grade">8th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/humor">Humor</a></div></div></div>Mon, 26 Aug 2013 23:51:06 +0000tmisselt3130 at http://apl.orgDouble Visionhttp://apl.org/staffpicks/double-vision
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">(2012)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=a&amp;searcharg=Bradley%2C%20F.%20T.&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=77&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Bradley, F. T. </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1902777~S77">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staff-pick field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.apl.org/staffpicks/all">Staff Pick Review: </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Monday, October 28, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/doublevisionbookcover.gif?itok=JyeMA1Na" width="125" height="187" alt="Bookcover for Double Vision" title="Double Vision" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;">This story is about a boy named Linc, who becomes a spy because his look-alike was a missing agent from a top secret operation team named “Pandora”.&nbsp; Lincoln Baker, a 12-year-old, is one of those kids who means well but is constantly in trouble.&nbsp; On a field trip to a chicken farm, Linc feels bad for the chickens all cooped up so he decides to let them loose.&nbsp; Now the school wants to expel him, the farmer wants to sue his family for damages, and his best friend puts his picture with bird poop on his head on YouTube.&nbsp; This is how he is noticed by the Pandora team.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Agents Stark and Fullerton arrive at Linc’s home and persuade him to help them.&nbsp; In return they will clean up the mess with the chicken farmer and his school.&nbsp; They have this missing agent, Benjamin Green, who must meet someone in Paris to retrieve a package and they want Linc to take over for this agent.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Linc is trained and sent to Paris where the one assignment turns into a race around Paris, a search for a stolen evil Mona Lisa painting, dealing with a French family, dodging bad guys, and solving puzzles and ciphers.&nbsp; Linc has no idea what is in store for him and how dangerous things can really become.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The story is filled with action and suspense, and realistic characters.&nbsp; Henry is a perfect geek with his knack for inventing spy gadgets.&nbsp; Francoise becomes involved with Linc in the hunt for the evil Mona Lisa painting.&nbsp; Together they follow the clues and decipher the codes left by Francoise’s father concerning the painting. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Boys and girls will enjoy this book and love the action, the mystery, the code breaking and the edge-of-your-seat adventures.&nbsp; </span><span style="color: #000000;">The story is similar to the movies of Agent Cody Banks and the Spy Kids series. The ending leads you to believe that a sequel is in the makes because Agent Stark appears at Linc’s door several weeks later. </span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">I would recommend this story for ages 9 – 12 and grades 5 – 7.</span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-sue">Ms. Sue</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/7th-grade">7th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/action-adventure">Action &amp; Adventure</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/espionage">Espionage</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/mystery">Mystery</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/chapter-book">Chapter Book</a></div></div></div>Mon, 28 Oct 2013 05:01:00 +0000skempf3183 at http://apl.orgFlat Brokehttp://apl.org/staffpicks/flat-broke
<div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-subtitle field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Greed. (2011)</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-author field-type-link-field field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Author:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/search/a?searchtype=X&amp;searcharg=Paulsen%2C%20Gary.%20&amp;SORT=D&amp;searchscope=77&amp;Submit=Search" rel="nofollow">Paulsen, Gary. </a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-url-book field-type-link-field field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1830574~S77">Link to this book</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpick-postdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, February 29, 2012</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-images field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://apl.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/staffPicks/Flat%20Broke.gif?itok=FIaN-fKU" width="131" height="187" alt="Flat Broke" title="Flat Broke" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this sequel to Liar, Liar by Gary Paulsen, fourteen year old Kevin is broke from having to forfeit his allowance because of his earlier habit of lying. He now schemes to get rich fast by any idea that pops into his head such as starting a poker club, “borrowing” a golf cart that is in the repair shop to do nightly snack runs to college students, convincing his sister to charge her friends for beauty services, cleaning garages for pay and throwing the contents illegally into a company dumpster. Kevin justifies every step with rules he has read out of context from his mother’s business books such as “The successful person has vision that others lack.” He uses this logic to organize the poker games because the other guys are “terrible players” and therefore it is an easy way to make money. When this plan collapses, he maintains his optimism—“It’s looking on the bright side that sets the successes apart from the failures.” He reasons that it was a good thing because now he will have time to work for Amalgamated Waste Management, pay his debt to them and maybe even land a real job there. Humorous throughout, this will attract even reluctant readers who will enjoy a fast-paced, hilarious read.</span></span></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author-of-post field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">View more by:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/by/ms-shirley">Ms. Shirley</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-age field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/3rd-grade">3rd grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/4th-grade">4th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/5th-grade">5th grade</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/6th-grade">6th grade</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/9-yrs-old">9 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/10-yrs-old">10 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/11-yrs-old">11 yrs old</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/age/12-yrs-old">12 yrs old</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-staffpicks-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/fiction">Fiction</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/staffpicks/tags/type/humor">Humor</a></div></div></div>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:00:16 +0000Shirley1886 at http://apl.org